494 settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first day of Passover
Hundreds of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning, on the first day of Passover, amid tight security and extremist calls to intensify raids during what is known as the "Passover Week."
According to the Islamic Endowment Department in Jerusalem, the number of settlers today reached 494 (268 in the morning and 226 in the afternoon). They carried out their raids in two periods: in the morning, from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., and in the afternoon, from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m. The raids were stopped during the noon prayer.
For days, extremist "Temple" groups and organizations have called on their supporters to participate extensively in the raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holiday week, which continues until next Thursday.
They also called for the performance of prayers and rituals inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, while the occupation police announced their intention to organize settler raids, with a group every ten minutes, anticipating "huge numbers" of settlers entering during the holidays and stressing that they would provide protection and facilitate the raids.
On Sunday, settlers performed public group prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection from the occupation police, who were deployed extensively throughout the mosque's courtyards. They imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinians, especially young men and women, and confiscated their ID cards at the gates.
These incursions took place from the Dung Gate, whose keys have been controlled by the occupation authorities since the occupation of Jerusalem.
In the same context, "Temple" organizations called on settlers to attempt to offer Passover sacrifices within the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards or at its gates. Several such attempts were reported, and the Israeli police confirmed that they arrested a number of participants.
Extremist groups published a special program for the holiday week on their websites and media platforms, including "prayers, lessons, and religious explanations" led by rabbis and officials from the "Temple" organizations.
In a move described as provocative, extremist "Temple" groups have, over the past few days, published AI-generated digital images showing Israeli Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir carrying an offering inside Al-Aqsa Mosque. This is a symbolic message demanding that settlers be allowed to perform the ritual of offering animals inside Al-Aqsa, the most prominent ritual of Passover.
Another image was also published showing the biblical altar erected at the site of the Dome of the Chain inside Al-Aqsa, surrounded by a group of "Temple priests" lighting a fire in preparation for the offering. In the background, the Dome of the Rock appears with the Israeli flag raised above it.
